Two Cincinnati hospitals are teaming up with the city on a new anti-violence initiative. UC Health and Cincinnati Children’s work with victims of violence far beyond physical treatment.
Dr. Meera Kotagal of the Children’s Center said they will start by hiring two or three violence prevention specialists to work with these victims.
“This allows us to build long-term relationships over many months, collaborating on what families and individuals need moving forward and working with them to provide what is best for them. We can connect you to the resources that exist in our community, providing you with possible support and subsequent growth opportunities,” she explains.
The initiative focuses on gun violence victims up to age 44, but plans to expand to other victims.
Dr. Amy McCree of the University of California Health Center says as many as 45% of gunshot victims will be injured again in the future. “And victims of gun violence, including here in Cincinnati, experience high rates of mental illness and post-traumatic stress disorder years after the initial injury, and the lasting effects that occur with every gun violence incident. “It shows serious psychological trauma,” she says.
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McCree says the initiative aims to break the cycle of violence.
Community activist and Cooperative Agreements Coordinator Iris Rowley is also participating.
“We’ve been on the front lines together for the past 20-odd years, and the situation has gotten worse every year,” Rowley says. “The police are not going to get out of this situation alone, so I think the city has done a great job of learning these lessons and listening to the community about fairness, transparency and accountability in policing. ”
The program is funded by a $600,000 grant the city announced last year.
Cincinnati also employs a violence reduction manager. DeAngelo Rosa Harris will coordinate with hospitals, police, city officials and other organizations.
